Newly Enacted Laws to Help Finance Clean Drinking Water Projects in 9th Legislative District
Legislation now signed into law will direct more than $39 million to finance clean water and drinking water projects in the 9th Legislative District announced Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove.
Connors, Rumpf and Gove announced that a new law will direct more than $39 million to finance clean water and drinking water projects in the 9th Legislative District. (Pixabay)
One enacted initiative appropriates certain federal and State monies to implement the 2016 New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program. The second initiative authorizes the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend up to $411.35 million and any unexpended balances from previous authorizations to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2017.
“Protecting drinking water supplies is a core responsibility of government that affects every resident living in the state. Further, clean water projects are essential to protect wildlife habitats as well as the health of our waterways.
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Fight to Prevent Democrats’ Gas Tax Pork Projects
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe (all R-10) have introduced a bill that would exclude passenger and freight rail projects from being funded by proceeds from the recent gas tax increase.
Legislation by Holzapfel, Wolfe and McGuckin would exclude passenger and freight rail projects from being funded by proceeds from the recent gas tax increase. (Wikimedia Commons)
“We know that New Jerseyans are already the most highly taxed people in the nation, which is why we voted ‘NO’ on raising the gas tax,” stated the 10th District legislators. “As a promise to our constituents, we will fight to ensure that the gas taxes paid by our constituents aren’t diverted to pork rail projects that only benefit Democrats’ districts.”
Oroho/Van Drew Introduce Measure to Reinstate Death Penalty for Heinous Murders
Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) and Senator Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland) introduced legislation that would reinstate the death penalty in New Jersey for the most heinous acts of murder.
Sen. Steve Oroho and Sen. Jeff Van Drew introduced legislation that would reinstate the death penalty in New Jersey for the most heinous acts of murder. (Flickr)
The bill specifically references five acts that law enforcement and juries can consider the death penalty as an appropriate punishment: (1) the death of a law enforcement or corrections officer while on official duty; (2) the murder of a juvenile under the age of 18 during the commission of a sex crime; (3) death by an act of terrorism; (4) the perpetrator had been convicted of a murder previously; and (5) serial killers.
“These murderous acts are some of the most heinous crimes against humanity that society confronts,” said Senator Oroho. “Victims’ families and the general public should know that such malicious, depraved behavior can be punishable to the same severity with which the criminals perpetrated their vile acts.”
Pennacchio Bill to Help Small Businesses Compete, Lower Costs Heads to Governor
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris, Passaic) aimed at helping small businesses grow and lower costs for taxpayers is headed to the Governor’s desk after being passed by the New Jersey General Assembly.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s legislation would create a new program in the NJEDA to help small businesses grow and compete for government contracts. (NJEDA)
“This is a great chance for us to help small businesses compete,” Senator Pennacchio said. “Our experiences have shown us that when we can cut through some of the red tape, it produces an immediate opportunity for entrepreneurs to take advantage and succeed.”
Oroho Bill to Keep State’s BEIP Obligations to Insurance Companies Heads to Governor
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to allow insurance companies that were due to receive grants under the state’s Business employment Incentive Program to receive refunds for their unused tax credits was passed by the New Jersey Assembly and is headed to the Governor’s desk.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation allowing insurance businesses that were due to receive BEIP grants to receive refunds for unused tax credits is headed to the Governor’s desk. (Wikimedia Commons)
“These businesses signed agreements with the state under BEIP to move or expand here with the understanding that they would receive those grants,” Senator Oroho said. “We’ve already passed legislation that allows them to convert their grants into tax credits, but this gives insurance companies the same opportunities that other businesses have to get a refund on those credits.”
Earlier this year, Senator Oroho’s S-3232 was signed into to law to allow a business that was due to receive a grant under BEIP to direct the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to convert the grant to a refundable tax credit against its corporate, gross income, or insurance premium tax liability. The bill allowed a business that does not pay corporate business taxes to apply to the authority for a tax credit transfer certificate that could be sold to another business.
Oroho Bill to Eliminate Unfair Taxes Imposed on NJ Manufacturers Passes Senate
The New Jersey Senate has passed Senator Steven Oroho’s bill to protect box manufacturers from paying unfair user fees by modifying the definition of “litter generating products” under the Clean Communities Program Act to exclude corrugated containers.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s bill would protect box manufacturers from paying unfair user fees falsely classifying the containers they sell as litter-generating products. (©iStock)
Corrugated containers are fiberboard boxes often used for shipping merchandise, or as pop-up product displays in grocery and retail stores. 47 percent of all corrugated containers are made of recyclable materials. More than 92 percent are recovered and reprocessed into fresh packaging by the very manufacturers who initially sold the products.
“New Jersey box manufacturers are generating local jobs and economic revenue – not litter,” Senator Oroho (R-24) said. “Virtually every corrugated container manufacturer in New Jersey operates in another state as well. Failing to correct this oversight in tax law will put the positive impact they have had on protecting our environment and stimulating the state’s economy at risk.”
Oroho Bill to Strengthen State’s Public Pension Systems Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) to strengthen New Jersey’s public employee pension systems was advanced by the New Jersey Senate in a 35-0 vote.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation would strengthen New Jersey’s public employee pension systems by requiring the State to make quarterly pension payments. (SenateNJ.com)
The legislation, S-2810, requires the State to pay its annual pension contribution on a quarterly basis.
“The quicker we get the state’s pension contribution invested in the markets, the sooner we start earning a return,” said Oroho. “Making quarterly pension payments won’t cost the State more money, but it could provide the opportunity to earn an additional $100 to $200 million per year from our contribution and reduce our pension systems’ unfunded liability.”
Oroho Bill to Streamline Workers’ Compensation Claims Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to speed up the processing of workers’ compensation claims was signed into law by Governor Chris Christie.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s legislation to streamline the processing of workers’ compensation claims was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie. (©iStock.com)
“By standardizing procedures and setting a hard deadline, we can streamline this process for everyone involved,” Senator Oroho said. “This will ensure no money is tied up for too long, whether it’s the party making the claim or the one paying it out.”
Senate Approves Bipartisan Bill Package To Improve Crime Victim Protections
The Senate approved a four-bill package sponsored by Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, Senator Steven Oroho, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, and Senator Brian Stack, Senator Shirley K. Turner to strengthen crime victims’ rights laws in New Jersey. The passage of the legislation took place as the Senate marked the 25th Anniversary of enactment of the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Rights Amendment to the state Constitution, which cemented the right of crime victims to be treated fairly and their ability to be present at certain court proceedings.
Sen. Kip Bateman was joined by Richard Pompelio of the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center for the Senate session on Nov. 14, 2016. Pompelio was honored for his decades of work to protect crime victims and joined Bateman to watch the Senate’s passage of new protections. (SenateNJ.com)
“We can do much more to support survivors as they work to rebuild, recover and seek out the justice they deserve. This legislation will end discriminatory practices that have long prevented crime victims from securing housing and stable employment, and provide opportunities for survivors of any age to confront their abusers without fear,” said Bateman. “We must remain vigilant in our efforts to uphold and expand the strong laws we have in place to protect victims of violent crime. I am proud to have worked on a bipartisan basis with my colleague Senator Weinberg to advance these compassionate, commonsense measures and I hope to see all three bills signed into law as swiftly as possible.”
Senate Passes Oroho Bill to Amend Price-Gouging Protections to Safeguard Consumers, Support Businesses
Legislation would put price-gouging protections in place for 30 days after a declaration of state of emergency, unless extended by the governor
The New Jersey Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho to protect consumers from price gouging during a natural disaster and support small businesses following a state of emergency declaration.
People waiting in long lines for gasoline on November 2, 2012, following Superstorm Sandy. (Wikimedia)
“The protections we put in place will deter businesses from taking advantage of consumers during a natural disaster by spiking prices for necessities, such as gasoline and groceries,” Senator Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) said. “However, many reputable small businesses have been negatively impacted because of the inflexibility of the 30-day time period. This bill will ensure business have the ability to be competitive following the end of an emergency declaration, while still protecting consumers from price gouging tactics that threaten their welfare and safety.”
